Sunday, October 16, 2005

Maritime Museum sponsors two-day archeology event

The Newburyport Maritime Society will present "Voices of the Deep: Underwater Archaeology in Massachusetts and Beyond," a two-day event at the Custom House Maritime Museum Saturday Oct. 15. State-of-the-art equipment demonstrations, interactive displays and experts in the field will be on site to show simulations, answer questions and introduce the public to the exciting trends and advances in underwater archaeology.

There is free admission, 11 a.m. .to 4 p.m., for a fun-filled day of hands-on educational activities for children, including a simulated shipwreck excavation, a Cartesian diver demonstration, take-home art projects and science experiments.

More follows on Sunday, Oct. 16, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with three presentations by professional marine archaeologists David Robinson of Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc., Deborah Marx and Matthew Lawrence of the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Victor Mastone of the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources. These power point presentations will highlight their exciting work on recent underwater projects in Massachusetts and beyond.

Included will be a special viewing of the NOAA/Science Channel's high definition film on the wreck of the steamer Portland (1898) in the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. The cost for Sunday is $4 per person, free for NMS members. Seating for the presentations is limited to 50 people. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Along with the exclusive archaeology exhibits and interactives that will be on site this weekend, the public can view the Newburyport Maritime Society's newest exhibit The United States Coast Guard's 215th Anniversary Celebration as well as Shipwrecks: Backyard Snapshots.

Voices of the Deep is sponsored by the Massachusetts Board of Underwater Archaeological Resources, the Newburyport Maritime Society and the Public Archaeology Laboratory, Inc. To make a reservation for the Sunday speakers, call 978-462-8681. For information, visit www.themaritimesociety.org.